At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and inspire store teams to deliver exceptional customer experiences and drive sales growth.
- Company: Join DFS, the UK's leading sofa retailer with a passion for making homes feel comfortable.
- Benefits: Enjoy a company car, retail bonuses, generous holidays, and discounts on products.
- Other info: Be part of an inclusive culture that values diversity and personal development.
- Why this job: Shape the future of retail while nurturing talent and creating a high-performance culture.
- Qualifications: Strong leadership skills, financial acumen, and a customer-focused mindset are essential.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 60000 £ per year.
Your new role
About Us:
It takes a whole lot of passion to be at the centre of what makes a house feel like home - and that's just what we do at DFS. We're the leading sofa retail specialist in the UK, helping people find a comfy seat on their great quality sofas since 1969. We're a market leader in the UK because of one thing: our people. Our people made us who we are and will drive us into our ambitious future, together. We offer incredible opportunities to get stuck into fun and meaningful work as well as learn new skills - so you can really find your thing.
About the role:
At DFS, we're all about helping customers feel right at home, and that starts with our people. We're looking for a Regional Manager who can bring our Retail operational plan to life through brilliant leadership, a high-performance culture and a laser-focus on the customer experience. This is a role for someone who leads from the front: setting the pace, inspiring store teams and making the right interventions to ensure every store delivers on its plan. You'll nurture talent, energise performance and make sure colleagues and customers feel genuinely cared for. In return, you'll help shape the future of the UK's number one sofa retailer.
The role is regionally based, covering locations from Truro to Reading, leading approximately 15-16 showrooms. Ideal locations for you to be based could be Bristol or Reading.
What you'll be doing:
- Leading, coaching and developing store management teams, building capability and a strong pipeline of future talent across the region.
- Creating and maintaining a live talent and succession plan so colleagues can clearly see their growth and progression opportunities.
- Driving sales growth by empowering and developing managers to perform at their absolute best.
- Bringing our vision and operational plans to life with clarity, setting goals, managing performance and keeping teams focused on what matters most.
- Owning financial and KPI delivery through clear, actionable plans and a mindset of continuous improvement.
- Ensuring every store operates safely, legally and efficiently, with gold-standard processes across health and safety, trading standards, cash and stock.
- Identifying opportunities, both locally and nationally, to strengthen our customer proposition and keep DFS as the number-one choice on the high street.
- Providing clear, practical feedback after store visits, with actions that help teams raise performance and elevate the customer experience.
- Taking full accountability for operational changes and leading regional projects through to successful, on-time delivery.
- Communicating simply, clearly and regularly, removing complexity and helping teams understand the what and the why.
- Role-modelling passion for the brand, commitment to our strategy and positivity about new initiatives.
- Creating a high-performance culture where goals are clear, achievements are recognised and under-performance is addressed with fairness and pace.
- Giving extra support to new managers until they're confident and capable in their roles.
- Building strong relationships across the wider Group to enhance customer experience and keep our whole business moving forward.
- Staying ahead of trends in the wider retail world and owning your personal development to keep your practice fresh and effective.
What you'll bring:
- A strong customer and commercial focus
- Solid financial acumen
- Confidence leading teams through change
- A coaching-first leadership style
- Analytical, insight-driven thinking
- Strong communication and influencing skills
- Brilliant planning and execution
- Energy, pace and a mindset for improvement and innovation
Benefits:
- Company Car
- Retail Bonus Scheme - earn more based on team performance, earning around £20,000+ per year additional to your base pay
- Progression and Development opportunities to grow your skills
- Discounts: Get 30% off DFS and Sofology products for yourself, discounts for friends and family plus discounts and cashback at hundreds of retailers.
- Generous holiday allowance - the time you need to rest and relax and the longer you're with us, the more time you'll get! Opportunity to purchase additional holidays each year!
- Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption leave to give you the time you need to settle in with your new family member
- Discounted Gym and Cinema memberships to help you unwind
- Group Pension Scheme
- Group Sharesave Scheme
- Life Assurance & Company Sick Pay
- Full comprehensive training
- Paid days to volunteer each year
Our Commitment to Inclusion:
DFS is committed to a culture where everyone feels welcome, valued, and can thrive at work. We celebrate diverse voices, champion inclusion, and support each other through our growing colleague networks. We invest in partnerships that drive change, from introducing the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower and supporting Doncaster Pride, to partnering with Carers UK and developing leaders with Diversity in Retail. We're proud to be an equal opportunities employer, committed to building a workplace that reflects the communities we serve. So, if your experience doesn't quite match the specification, we'd still really love to hear from you.
(All roles are subject to satisfactory DBS checks.)
Regional Manager in Reading employer: The Sofa Delivery Company
At DFS, we pride ourselves on being a people-centric organisation that fosters a vibrant and inclusive work culture. As a Regional Manager, you'll not only lead a dynamic team across beautiful locations from Truro to Reading but also benefit from exceptional growth opportunities, generous bonuses, and a commitment to your personal development. With a focus on employee well-being, including discounts, enhanced leave, and a supportive environment, DFS is the perfect place for those seeking a meaningful career in retail.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Regional Manager in Reading
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the industry. Attend events, join online forums, or even reach out to current DFS employees on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching DFS and its culture. Understand their values and how they prioritise customer experience. This will help you tailor your answers and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of the team.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your leadership stories! As a Regional Manager, you'll need to demonstrate your ability to lead and inspire teams. Think of specific examples where you've made a positive impact and be ready to share them during interviews.
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to apply through our website! It's the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you're serious about joining the DFS family and ready to contribute to our mission of making homes feel special.
We think you need these skills to ace Regional Manager in Reading
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion:When you're writing your application, let your passion for the role and the company shine through. We want to see how excited you are about helping customers feel at home with our products!
Tailor Your CV:Make sure to customise your CV to highlight your leadership experience and customer-focused achievements. We love seeing how you've made a difference in previous roles, so don’t hold back!
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so make sure your skills and experiences are easy to spot. Remember, we’re looking for someone who can communicate effectively!
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at The Sofa Delivery Company
✨Know Your DFS
Before the interview, dive deep into DFS's history, values, and customer experience focus. Understanding what makes DFS a leader in the sofa retail market will help you align your answers with their mission and demonstrate your passion for the brand.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
As a Regional Manager, your leadership approach is crucial. Be ready to discuss specific examples of how you've led teams through change, nurtured talent, and created a high-performance culture. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses.
✨Prepare for Financial Discussions
Since the role involves owning financial and KPI delivery, brush up on your financial acumen. Be prepared to discuss how you've driven sales growth and managed budgets in previous roles. Highlight any experience you have with actionable plans that led to measurable improvements.
✨Engage with Questions
Interviews are a two-way street! Prepare thoughtful questions about the company's future, team dynamics, and how they measure success. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you assess if DFS is the right fit for you.
